The cutting is the most time-consuming and critical step in turning a diamond into a brilliant. The diamond cutter faces the difficult task of finding a compromise between the size of the crystal and the quality of its cut. The diamond cutter’s goal is to find a shape that will allow him to preserve as much of the volume of the stone as possible while guaranteeing that all of its facets are flawless.
Most diamonds lose up to 50 percent or more of their original weight when being cut. The final result depends on the experience of the cutter and the technology he uses to cut the stone. The decision is made based on the diamond’s natural shape, the characteristics of its crystal structure, and the presence of inclusions and other flaws.
Quality of cut
The quality of the cut is one of the most important indicators of a diamond’s value. When buying vancouver engagement rings, the consumers pay as much attention to this characteristic as to the clarity, color and weight of the stone. The advancement of technology has led to the production of excellent cut diamonds, characterized by flawless proportions.
- The porous girdle. When the girdle is cut at too high a speed and with too much pressure, it is highly probable that pores and open pores will form. The surface becomes not shiny and silky, but similar in texture to that of lumpy sugar. Such a stone becomes dirty very quickly. Dust and grease fill the hollows, giving the diamond jewelry an unattractive, grayish hue.
- A faceted rundist. Height variations, irregularity throughout the central “girdle” and the formation of many miniature facets on it all diminish the value of the diamond. A flawless girdle should have no facets of its own, its surface polished to absolute smoothness.
- Traces of grinding and polishing. These operations are carried out with diamond paste and the direction of the cutting wheel should be carefully checked. Otherwise, stripes and lines that are clearly visible under magnification of 10 times will appear on the surface of the facets, which is very harmful to the visual characteristics of the stone.
- Burn marks. These are the colors that appear when the temperature of a stone is raised several times during treatment or when it is set in the jewelry piece by soldering. Traces that are visible are spots of a milky-white color. It is possible to remove them by polishing the stone again to reduce its weight a little.